Chapter 1
Shubman was packing his bags after a stellar innings against Australia in the ODI series when Sachin Tendulkar approached him.
"Hello, Shubman," Sachin said with a warm smile.
"Hello, sir," Shubman responded respectfully.
Sachin's presence always brought a sense of reverence and admiration, and Shubman couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and humility.
"You played exceptionally well today. Your form is truly impressive," Sachin complimented, his eyes reflecting genuine appreciation.
"Thank you, sir. It means a lot coming from you," Shubman replied, his face lighting up with a grateful smile.
Sachin paused for a moment, as if choosing his next words carefully. "Shubman, I have a favor to ask. It's a bit personal."
"Of course, sir. Anything," Shubman said immediately, his curiosity piqued.
"Sara, my daughter, wants to pursue her medical studies here in Mumbai. Unfortunately, my family and I are based in Delhi most of the time, and I was hoping you could help her settle in," Sachin explained. "She's quite independent, but it would be reassuring to know she's staying with someone I trust."
Shubman was momentarily taken aback. He had heard about Sara but never imagined he would be asked to share his space with her. "I'd be happy to help, sir. It would be an honor."
"Thank you, Shubman. It means a lot to me and my family," Sachin said, his relief evident. "Sara will arrive next week. I'll make sure she gets in touch with you."
As Sachin walked away, Shubman couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Sharing his home with someone as vibrant and talkative as Sara would be a significant change for the introverted cricketer.
He reached his house and immediately noticed the mess. Jerseys, shirts, cricket gear, and magazines were strewn all over the place. The kitchen was no better, with a sink full of dirty dishes. He sighed, muttering to himself, "I really need to hire a maid. I can't let Sara see the house like this."
He then made his way to his room, which was another disaster zone. In his daily rush, he would toss everything onto the bed to find his clothes and equipment. The sight of it made him sigh again.
Finally, he checked the guest room, only to find it covered in dust. It was clear he needed help to get the house in order before Sara arrived.
Realizing he couldn't tackle the mess alone, Shubman decided to call his sister, Shahneel, for help. She was always good at organizing and had a knack for turning chaos into order.
"Hey, Di," he said when she picked up, trying to sound casual despite his mounting anxiety.
"Hey, Kaka! What's up?" she replied cheerfully.
"I need a huge favor. My house is a disaster zone, and I've got a guest arriving next week. Can you help me clean up?" he asked, hoping she would say yes.
Shahneel chuckled. "Let me guess, you haven't cleaned in weeks, have you?"
"More like months," Shubman admitted sheepishly. "Sachin sir's daughter, Sara, is coming to stay for a while, and I can't let her see the house like this."
"Oh wow, that's a big deal! Of course, I'll help. I'll come over tomorrow with some cleaning supplies, and we'll get it sorted," Shahneel assured him.
"You're a lifesaver, Di. Thank you so much," Shubman said, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders.
"Anytime, Kaka. Just make sure you have enough coffee to keep us going," she teased.
"Deal. See you tomorrow," he replied, hanging up with a smile.
With Shahneel's help, Shubman felt more confident that he could get the house ready for Sara's arrival. The next day, Shahneel arrived armed with cleaning supplies and her usual can-do attitude. Together, they tackled the mess room by room. Jerseys were folded, cricket gear was organized, magazines were stacked neatly, and the kitchen was scrubbed until it sparkled.
Shahneel worked her magic on the guest room, dusting and arranging everything to make it look inviting and comfortable. By the end of the day, the house was transformed, and Shubman felt a surge of gratitude towards his sister.
"This place looks amazing, Di. I couldn't have done it without you," he said, looking around in amazement.
"Anytime, Kaka. Now, make sure you keep it this way," she teased, giving him a playful nudge.
"I'll try my best," he promised with a grin.
As he walked Shahneel to the door, Shubman felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about Sara's arrival. The house was ready, and now it was up to him to make sure she felt at home.
Meanwhile, in Delhi, Sachin Tendulkar sat down with his daughter, Sara, to discuss her upcoming move to Mumbai.
"Sara, I've made arrangements for you to stay with Shubman Gill while you pursue your medical studies in Mumbai," Sachin began, trying to gauge her reaction.
Sara looked up from her book, a mixture of surprise and reluctance on her face. "Baba, I appreciate it, but I really wanted to live independently. I can manage on my own."
"I know you can, Sara," Sachin said gently. "But Shubman is a good friend and someone I trust completely. Mumbai can be a challenging city to navigate alone, and having someone there who can look out for you will give both of us peace of mind."
Sara sighed, feeling torn. "It's not that I don't appreciate your concern, but I don't want to be a burden on Shubman. He's busy with his cricket career, and I don't want to intrude."
"Sara, I've spoken to Shubman about this. He was more than willing to help. He understands the importance of your studies and your independence. He's not going to be hovering over you; he'll just be there if you need anything," Sachin reassured her.
She paused, considering her father's words. Deep down, she knew he was right. Moving to a new city and starting a demanding medical program would be tough, and having someone like Shubman nearby could be helpful.
"Okay, Baba" Sara finally said, her voice softening. "I'll give it a try. But if I feel like I'm imposing, I'll look for a place of my own."
"That's fair," Sachin agreed, smiling at her. "I just want you to be safe and comfortable. And remember, you can always come to me if you need anything."
"Thanks, Baba," Sara said, hugging him. "I promise I'll make the most of this opportunity."
As she prepared for her move to Mumbai, Sara couldn't help but feel a mixture of apprehension and curiosity about living with Shubman. She hoped their contrasting personalities wouldn't create too much tension and that they could find a way to coexist peacefully. Little did she know, this arrangement would lead to experiences and friendships that would change her life in ways she never expected.
After her conversation with Sachin, Sara decided it was time to reach out to Shubman. She asked her father for his number and, after a moment of hesitation, sent him a message.
Sara: Hi Shubman, this is Sara Tendulkar. My dad mentioned that I'll be staying with you in Mumbai. I hope it's not too much trouble!
Shubman: Hi Sara! Not at all, it's no trouble at all. I'm looking forward to having you here. If you need anything or have any questions, feel free to ask.
Sara: Thanks, Shubman. I appreciate it. I'm a bit nervous about the move, but I'm sure it will be fine.
Shubman: Moving to a new city can be daunting, but you'll settle in quickly. Mumbai is a great place, and I'm here to help with anything you need.
Sara: Thanks! I just hope I don't disrupt your routine. I know how busy you are with cricket.
Shubman: Don't worry about that. We'll make it work. I'm usually out for practice and matches, so you'll have plenty of space and time to yourself.
Sara: That's good to know. I'll try not to be too much of a bother. Do you have any tips for living in Mumbai?🤔🤔
Shubman: Just be ready for the traffic and crowds! But the city has a lot to offer – great food, beautiful places to visit, and a vibrant culture. You'll love it here.😊😊
Sara: Sounds exciting! I'm looking forward to exploring the city. Thanks again for letting me stay.😊😊
Shubman: Anytime, Sara. Looking forward to having you here. Safe travels!😊😊
Sara felt a bit more at ease after their exchange. Shubman seemed kind and accommodating, which reassured her that things would go smoothly. As she finished packing her bags, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation for the new chapter ahead.
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